INDIA, October 13, 2023 (Organiser): Senior servitor Binayak Dasmohapatra said Puri Jagannath temple is an important religious site among the four dhams. Binayak Dasmohapatra said, “Hundreds of thousands of devotees visit Puri for the darshan of Lord Jagannath. Therefore, implementing a dress code for all devotees is essential to upholding the temple’s spirituality and sanctity.” The Daitapati Nijog, a servitor’s…
ROBBINSVILLE, NEW JERSEY, October 9, 2023 (Access Wire): On October 8, 2023, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham in Robbinsville, New Jersey was inaugurated by His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader of BAPS. This monumental occasion for Hindu Americans was marked by the presence of volunteers, dignitaries, and well-wishers, all coming together under a shared spirit of reverence and community…
ROBBINSVILLE, NEW JERSEY, October 7, 2023 (Lassi with Lavina, by Lavina Melwani–pictured above): As a journalist dedicated to covering the Indian Diaspora and documenting the struggles and successes of our community for several decades, I was content to keep writing in anonymity, with people only knowing me by my faceless byline. Now in this age of social media things have…
VIETNAM, October 7, 2023 (Outlook Traveller): Vietnam, known for its stunning natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions, harbors a hidden gem of ancient history: a collection of Hindu temples that date back over a thousand years. These remarkable temples stand as a testament to the enduring influence of Indian culture in Southeast Asia. The presence of Hinduism in…
HOUSTON, TEXAS, October 6, 2023 (Indo American News): The South Asian community across the nation has been growing at a fast clip as also in Texas. But nowhere has the community been as active in the past decade – COVID notwithstanding – as it has been in the Houston area. It is not only in the typical draw for new…
INDIA, September 6, 2023 (BBC): In 2019, as scientists embarked on excavating a mound of sandy soil near a remote village in the sparsely populated Kutch region, situated not far from Pakistan in India’s western state of Gujarat, they had no inkling of the surprise that lay in store for them. “When we began digging, we thought it was an…
USA, October 5, 2023 (Associated Press) In many countries around the world, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people who are nonbelievers or unaffiliated with any organized religion. These so-called “nones” — atheists, agnostics, or nothing in particular — comprise 30% or more of the adult population in the United States and Canada, as well as…
AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND, September 15, 2023 (Lavan Guardia, Google translated from Spanish): In Asia there is no romance of love and war more famous than the Ramayana. The Sanskrit epic is not only the backbone of Indian culture, but permeates the folklore of all of Southeast Asia, from Laos to Bali. It doesn’t matter whether the audience is Buddhist, Hindu or…
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, September 27, 2023 (India Currents): Pragati Grover came to the U.S., newly married with just two suitcases and a Ganesh statue from her mother. She not only learned how to cook, drive and fall in love with Oprah Winfrey and soap operas in the U.S. but also developed a deeper love for Ganesh, the Hindu God and…
CHENNAI, INDIA, October 1, 2023 (Indian Express by Arun Janardhanan): The Tamil Nadu state Supreme Court this week ordered status quo on the appointment of archakas (priests) in Agamic temples in Tamil Nadu. The Srirangam Koil Miras Kainkaryaparagal Matrum Athanai Sarntha Koilgalin Miraskain-karyaparargalin Nalasangam, an association of archakas, had challenged reforms introduced by the DMK government, which are seen as…
